Vehicle seat

ABSTRACT

A vehicle seat, in particular an aircraft seat, has at least one seating device, which has at least one seat unit and at least one bench unit which is arranged at one side of the seat unit in a transverse direction oriented at least substantially perpendicular to a seat unit longitudinal direction and has a bench unit surface which forms a lying surface with at least one seat bottom unit of the seat unit in at least one seat position. The bench unit can have at least one cavity, which is provided in at least one seat position for accommodating the legs of a passenger sitting in a seating device arranged, in relation to the seat unit longitudinal direction, behind said seating device.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is based on and incorporates herein by reference GermanPatent Application No. 10 2012 020 846.4 filed on Oct. 24, 2012.

PRIOR ART

The invention relates to a vehicle seat, in particular an aircraft seat.

A vehicle seat, in particular an aircraft seat, having at least oneseating device, which has at least one seat unit and at least one benchunit which is arranged at one side of the seat unit in a transversedirection oriented at least substantially perpendicular to a seat unitlongitudinal direction and has a bench unit surface which forms a lyingsurface with at least one seat bottom unit of the seat unit in at leastone seat position, has already been proposed.

The object of the invention is, in particular, to provide a device ofthe type in question with improved properties as regards comfort for apassenger. According to the invention, the object is achieved by thefeatures of Patent Claim 1, while advantageous embodiments anddevelopments of the invention can be found in the subclaims.

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

The invention starts from a vehicle seat, in particular an aircraftseat, having at least one seating device, which has at least one seatunit and at least one bench unit which is arranged at one side of theseat unit in a transverse direction oriented at least substantiallyperpendicular to a seat unit longitudinal direction and has a bench unitsurface which forms a lying surface with at least one seat bottom unitof the seat unit in at least one seat position.

It is proposed that the bench unit should have at least one cavity,which is provided in at least one seat position for accommodating thelegs of a passenger sitting in a seating device arranged, in relation tothe seat unit longitudinal direction, behind said seating device. Theterm “bench unit” is intended, in particular, to mean a unit which hasat least one bench unit surface. In particular, the bench unit surfaceis designed as a seating surface. The bench unit surface is preferablydesigned as a lying surface. In particular, the bench unit is designedas a piece of side furniture for the seat unit. The bench unit surfaceis preferably arranged at least substantially in a plane defined by aseat bottom unit of the seat unit, in at least one seat position. Inparticular, the bench unit surface of the bench unit forms a lyingsurface together with the seat bottom unit of the seat unit in at leastone seat position of the seat unit. The bench unit is preferablyprovided for use as a deposition surface, e.g. for hand luggage and/orclothing of a passenger sitting on the seat unit. In particular, thebench unit surface of the bench unit is provided for use as a seatingsurface for a child accompanying the passenger sitting on the seat unit.The term “side” of the seat unit is intended, in particular, to mean aregion of the seat unit which forms a boundary of the seat unit. Thephrase stating that the bench unit surface is “arranged at leastsubstantially in a plane defined by a seat bottom unit of the seatunit”, in at least one seat position, is intended, in particular, tomean that more than 90%, preferably more than 93%, and, in particular,more than 95% of the bench unit surface is arranged in the plane definedby the seat bottom unit of the seat unit. The phrase stating that astraight line and/or a plane is oriented “at least substantiallyperpendicular” to a further straight line and/or plane formed separatelyfrom the first straight line and/or plane is intended, in particular, tomean that the straight line and/or plane encloses an angle with thefurther straight line and/or plane which deviates by less than 15°,preferably by less than 10°, and, in particular, by less than 5° from anangle of 90°. The term “seat unit longitudinal direction” is intended,in particular, to mean a direction which is oriented at leastsubstantially parallel to a sitting direction. The term “sittingdirection” is intended, in particular, to mean a direction whichcorresponds substantially to the direction in which the thighs of apassenger extend from the buttocks to the knee area when said passengeris sitting properly, in particular when the thighs of the passenger areoriented in parallel. In an upright position of a seat unit, in which abackrest unit is oriented at least substantially perpendicular to afloor, the sitting direction is parallel to the floor and oriented atleast substantially perpendicular to the backrest surface formed by thebackrest unit. If the seating device is used for an aircraft passengerseat, the sitting direction typically corresponds to the direction offlight. The phrase stating that a straight line and/or plane is oriented“at least substantially parallel” to a further straight line and/orplane formed separately from the first straight line and/or plane isintended, in particular, to mean that the straight line and/or planeencloses an angle with the further straight line and/or plane whichdeviates by less than 10°, preferably by less than 5°, and, inparticular, by less than 2° from an angle of 0°. The term “cavity” isintended, in particular, to mean a space which is bounded by at leastone component, in particular by at least one bench unit, in particularby at least three and preferably by at least four sides. In particular,the cavity has a cavity volume which is bounded by the component at thesides. The cavity is preferably accessible via at least one opening. Inparticular, the cavity is provided for accommodating the legs of apassenger sitting in a seating device arranged, in relation to the seatunit longitudinal direction, behind said seating device. The cavity ispreferably provided for accommodating objects, in particular handluggage, clothing and/or shoes, of a passenger sitting on a seatingdevice arranged behind said seating device. The word “provided” isintended, in particular, to mean specifically designed and/or equipped.By means of an embodiment according to the invention, it isadvantageously possible to provide a vehicle seat having as much room aspossible for a passenger, in particular even when the seats are placedclose together in a passenger cabin in which the vehicle seat isarranged, thereby making it possible to increase comfort for thepassenger. Moreover, it is advantageously possible to use a vehicle seatflexibly as a seating surface, as a lying surface and/or as a depositionsurface. It is furthermore advantageously possible to make available astorage space for the passenger sitting on the seating device arranged,in relation to the seat unit longitudinal direction, behind said seatingdevice.

It is furthermore proposed that the seating device be provided forinstallation in a passenger cabin with a seat unit longitudinaldirection oriented inclined to a passenger cabin longitudinal direction.In particular, the seating device has at least one fitting body, whichis provided for fastening the seating device in the passenger cabin. Thepassenger cabin preferably has at least one fastening rail, which isprovided for at least partially accommodating the fitting body in theinstalled state of the seating device. In particular, the fastening railis anchored at least substantially in a fixed manner in the passengercabin. The seating device is preferably provided for installation in thepassenger cabin by means of the fitting body, in particular in thepassenger cabin by means of the fastening rail. In particular, thefastening rail is oriented at least substantially parallel to thepassenger cabin longitudinal direction. The fitting body preferably hasa fitting body longitudinal direction which is oriented inclined to theseat unit, in particular to a seat bottom unit of the seat unit. Inparticular, the fitting body longitudinal direction is oriented inclinedto the seat unit longitudinal direction, in particular to a seat bottomunit longitudinal direction of the seat bottom unit. The fitting bodylongitudinal direction is preferably oriented, at least substantiallyparallel to the passenger cabin longitudinal direction. In particular,the fitting body longitudinal direction is oriented at leastsubstantially parallel to at least one fastening rail longitudinaldirection of the fastening rail. In particular, an angle, in particulara smallest angle, between the seat unit longitudinal direction and thepassenger cabin longitudinal direction is at least substantially 30°. Inparticular, the seating device has a seating device longitudinaldirection which encloses an angle, in particular a smallest angle, of atleast substantially 60° with the seat unit longitudinal direction. Theseating device longitudinal direction preferably encloses an angle, inparticular a smallest angle, of at least substantially 30° with thepassenger cabin longitudinal direction. In particular, the seatingdevice longitudinal direction is oriented at least substantiallyparallel to a lying surface longitudinal direction. The term “smallestangle” is intended, in particular, to mean an angle at an intersectionbetween two straight lines, having a magnitude which is smaller or equalto a magnitude of a largest angle at the intersection between the twostraight lines. In particular, a sum of the smallest angle and thelargest angle is at least substantially 180°. In, this context, thephrase “at least substantially” is intended, in particular, to mean thata deviation from a predetermined value is, in particular, less than 25%,preferably less than 10%, and particularly preferably less than 5% ofthe predetermined value. By means of an embodiment according to theinvention, it is advantageously possible to achieve maximum seat densityfor a vehicle seat according to the invention in a passenger cabin inwhich the vehicle seat is arranged while simultaneously achieving ascomfortable as possible and large a space for a passenger sitting on thevehicle seat. It is furthermore advantageously possible to ensure that apassenger sitting on the seating device has direct access to a passengercabin aisle, irrespective of a position of the seating device in thepassenger cabin.

It is furthermore proposed that the seating device have at least onefurther bench unit, which is formed separately from said bench unit andis arranged at a side of the seat unit arranged separately from thefirst side in relation to the transverse direction. By means of anembodiment according to the invention, it is advantageously possible tomake available a further bench unit to a passenger sitting on thevehicle seat, thereby making it possible to increase the space availableto the passenger.

It is furthermore proposed that the further bench unit have a bench unitsurface which forms the lying surface with the seat bottom unit of theseat unit and with the bench unit surface of the bench unit in at leastone seat position. In particular, the bench unit surface of the furtherbench unit is arranged at least substantially in the plane defined bythe seat bottom unit of the seat unit in said seat position. By means ofan embodiment according to the invention, it is advantageously possibleto make available a large lying surface, on which a passenger sitting onthe vehicle seat can lie down in a pleasant and comfortable manner.

It is furthermore proposed that the bench unit have a bench unitlongitudinal extent which is at least substantially the same as a seatunit longitudinal extent of the seat unit in at least one seat position.In particular, the bench unit is arranged in such a way in relation tothe transverse direction at one side of the seat unit that, in said seatposition, in particular when viewed in relation to a bench unitlongitudinal direction, a bench unit front region, in particular a frontedge, of the bench unit is arranged flush with a seat unit front region,in particular with a front edge, of the seat unit in a contact regionwith the seat unit, in particular when viewed in relation to the seatunit longitudinal direction. The phrase stating that the bench unitlongitudinal extent is “at least substantially the same” as a seat unitlongitudinal extent of the seat unit in at least one seat position isintended, in particular, to mean that a magnitude of the bench unitlongitudinal extent of the bench unit differs from a magnitude of theseat unit longitudinal extent of the seat unit by less than 10%,preferably by less than 5%, and, in particular, by less than 3%. Bymeans of an embodiment according to the invention, it is advantageouslypossible to achieve flush arrangement of the seat unit and of the benchunit, thereby making it possible to avoid edges and corners and hence toreduce a risk of injury to a passenger.

Moreover, it is proposed that the seat unit have at least one lower legsupport unit and the at least one seat bottom unit, which are arrangedat least substantially in one plane in at least one seat position. Thephrase stating that the lower leg support unit and the seat bottom unitare “arranged at least substantially in one plane” in at least one seatposition is intended, in particular, to mean that the lower leg supportunit has a lower leg support unit surface, more than 90%, preferablymore than 93%, and, in particular, more than 95%, of which is arrangedin a plane defined by the seat bottom unit. By virtue of an embodimentaccording to the invention, it is advantageously possible, in said seatposition, for a passenger sitting on the seat bottom unit of the seatunit to rest his legs on the lower leg support unit of the seat unitwith his leas comfortably stretched out.

It is furthermore proposed that the further bench unit have a bench unitlongitudinal extent which is at least substantially the same as a seatunit longitudinal extent of the seat unit in the seat position in whichthe lower leg support unit and the seat bottom unit are arranged atleast substantially in said plane. In particular, the further bench unitis arranged in such a way in relation to the transverse direction at oneside of the seat unit that, in said seat position, in particular whenviewed in relation to a bench unit longitudinal direction, a bench unitfront region, in particular a front edge, of the bench unit is arrangedflush with a seat unit front region, in particular with a front edge, ofthe seat unit in a contact region with the seat unit, in particular whenviewed in relation to the seat unit longitudinal direction. The phrasestating that the bench unit longitudinal extent is “at leastsubstantially the same” as a seat unit longitudinal extent of the seatunit in said seat position is intended, in particular, to mean that amagnitude of the bench unit longitudinal extent of the further benchunit differs from a magnitude of the seat unit longitudinal extent ofthe seat unit by less than 10%, preferably by less than 5%, and, inparticular, by less than 3%. By means of an embodiment according to theinvention, it is advantageously possible to achieve flush arrangement ofthe seat unit and of the bench unit, thereby making it possible to avoidedges and corners and hence to reduce a risk of injury to passenger.

It is furthermore proposed that the seat unit have at least twodifferent transverse extents in the transverse direction. As analternative, it is conceivable that the seat unit should have an atleast substantially constant transverse extent in the transversedirection. By means of an embodiment according to the invention, it isadvantageously possible for the seat unit to have a larger transverseextent in relation to the transverse direction in a region ofsignificance for a passenger sitting in the seat unit, as a result ofwhich the passenger has more space available in which to make himselfcomfortable.

Moreover, it is proposed that the seating device have at least onepartition wall, which has an at least substantially undulating contourin at least one cross sectional plane. As an alternative, it isconceivable for the partition wall to have an at least substantiallystraight contour, in particular a contour designed at leastsubstantially as a straight line. In particular, the partition wall isarranged on an extension of the backrest unit. The term “partition wall”is intended, in particular, to mean a wall which is provided to allowscreening, in particular screening relative to other vehicle seats, inat least one installed state. In particular, the partition wall isprovided for delimiting a region at the disposal of a passenger. Thepartition wall is preferably provided for protecting a private sphere ofthe passenger using the vehicle seat, in particular from the view ofother passengers using vehicle seats adjacent to said vehicle seat. Theterm “undulating contour” is intended, in particular, to mean a contourwhich can be described by a mathematical sine function given by f(x)=asin(bx). In particular, the factor a modifies an amplitude of themathematical sine function. The factor b preferably modifies a periodlength, in particular a frequency, of the mathematical sine function. Inparticular, the factors a and b are real numbers greater than zero. Thephrase “at least substantially undulating contour” is intended, inparticular, to mean a contour which deviates from the mathematical sinefunction f(x)=a sin(bx) in a direction at least substantially parallelto an amplitude of the mathematical sine function f(x)=a sin(bx) by lessthan 10%, preferably by less than 7%, and, in particular, by less than5% of a magnitude of the amplitude of 2a of the mathematical sinefunction f(x)=a sin(bx) and which deviates from the mathematical sinefunction f(x)=a sin(bx) in a direction at least substantially parallelto a period length of the mathematical sine function f(x)=a sin(bx) byless than 10%, preferably by less than 7%, and, in particular, by lessthan 5% of a magnitude of the period length of 2π/b of the mathematicalsine function f(x)=a sin(bx). By means of an embodiment according to theinvention, it is advantageously possible to screen off a region of thevehicle seat, thereby making it possible to protect a private sphere ofa passenger using the vehicle seat in a simple and reliable manner.

It is furthermore proposed that the bench unit have at least one benchunit region which is oriented at least substantially parallel to abackrest unit of the seat unit in at least one seat position. Inparticular, the bench unit region is arranged as an extension of thebackrest unit. In particular, the further bench unit has at least onebench unit region which is oriented at least substantially parallel tothe backrest unit of the seat unit in at least one seat position. Eachof the bench units preferably has at least one bench unit region whichis oriented at least substantially parallel to the backrest unit of theseat unit in at least one seat position. In particular, the bench unitregion in said seat position extends over at least 25% of an extent ofthe backrest unit of the seat unit in said seat position. The bench unitregion in said seat position is preferably oriented at leastsubstantially parallel to the backrest unit of the seat unit over atleast 25% of the extent of the backrest unit of the seat unit. Inparticular, a magnitude of a surface of the bench unit region is greaterthan 10%, preferably greater than 15%, and, in particular, greater than20%, of a magnitude of a backrest surface of the backrest unit of theseat unit. The seat unit, in particular the backrest unit, is preferablyarranged in an upright seat position in said seat position. Inparticular, the backrest unit has the extent which is oriented at leastsubstantially perpendicular to the seat bottom unit of the seat unit, inparticular to a bottom, in said seat position. By means of an embodimentaccording to the invention, it is advantageously possible to use thebench unit region of the bench unit as a comfortable supporting surfacefor a passenger using the bench unit, in particular for a back of thepassenger using the bench unit.

Moreover, it is proposed that the seat unit comprise at least onebackrest unit, which comprises at least one side guide member. The term“side guide member” is intended, in particular, to mean an element whichis arranged at one side of the backrest unit in relation to thetransverse direction in at least one upright seat position of the seatunit, in which the backrest unit is oriented at least substantiallyperpendicular to the seat bottom unit, in particular to a floor. Inparticular, the side guide member is provided for making available alateral bearing surface for a back of a passenger sitting in the seatunit, in particular a shoulder region of the back of the passenger. Inparticular, the side guide member is provided for forming a lateralboundary of the backrest unit. The side guide member is preferablyarranged at one side of the backrest unit in relation to a transversedirection, wherein a plane formed by at least a large part of a surfaceof the side guide member encloses an angle of more than 10° with a planeformed by at least a large part of a backrest surface of the backrestunit and an angle of less than 80° with the seat unit longitudinaldirection. By means of an embodiment according to the invention, it isadvantageously possible for the seat unit to make available comfortablelateral retention to a passenger sitting in the seat unit.

A system having at least one vehicle seat according to the invention andhaving at least one further seat arranged behind said vehicle seat inrelation to the seat unit longitudinal direction, in particular havingat least one further vehicle seat according to the invention arrangedbehind said vehicle seat in relation to the seat unit longitudinaldirection, is furthermore proposed. By means of an embodiment accordingto the invention, it is advantageously possible to achieve a comfortablearrangement of the further seat for a passenger sitting in the furtherseat in relation to the vehicle seat arranged in front of the furtherseat in relation to the seat unit longitudinal direction.

A passenger cabin, in particular an aircraft passenger cabin, having atleast one vehicle seat according to the invention is furthermoreproposed. By means of an embodiment according to the invention, it isadvantageously possible to fit a passenger cabin with at least onevehicle seat according to the invention, thereby making it possible toachieve a comfortable passenger cabin.

Moreover, it is proposed that the seating device be installed in thepassenger cabin with a seat unit longitudinal direction orientedinclined to the passenger cabin longitudinal direction. By means of anembodiment according to the invention, it is advantageously possible toachieve maximum seat density for a vehicle seat according to theinvention in a passenger cabin in which the vehicle seat is arrangedwhile simultaneously achieving as comfortable as possible and large aspace for a passenger sitting on the vehicle seat. It is furthermoreadvantageously possible to ensure that a passenger sitting on theseating device has direct access to a passenger cabin aisle,irrespective of a position of the seating device in the passenger cabin.

DRAWINGS

Further advantages will become apparent from the following descriptionof the drawings. In the drawings, an illustrative embodiment of theinvention is shown. The drawings, the description and the claims containnumerous features in combination. A person skilled in the art willexpediently also consider the features individually and combine theminto worthwhile further combinations.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a vehicle seat according to the invention in a perspectiveview,

FIG. 2 shows a passenger cabin according to the invention with amultiplicity of vehicle seats according to the invention as shown inFIG. 1, and

FIG. 3 shows an enlarged detail of FIG. 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 shows a vehicle seat 10, namely an aircraft seat, having aseating device 12, which has a seat unit 14 and a bench unit 16, whichis arranged in a transverse direction 20 oriented perpendicular to aseat unit longitudinal direction 18 at one side of the seat unit 14 andhas a bench unit surface 22 which forms a lying surface 26 with a seatbottom unit 24 of the seat unit 14 in one seat position. As canfurthermore be seen from FIG. 1, the seating device 12 has a furtherbench unit 36, which is formed separately from said bench unit 16 and isarranged at a side of the seat unit 14 arranged separately from thefirst side in relation to the transverse direction 20. The seat unit 14is arranged between the bench unit 16 and the further bench unit 36 inrelation to the transverse direction 20. As a result, a passengersitting on the seating device 12 (cf. FIG. 2) has an advantageouslylarge space available. The seating device 12 has a partition wall 54,which has an undulating contour in a cross-sectional plane (cf. alsoFIG. 3).

The seat unit 14 has a lower leg support unit 44, which is pivotablymounted on the seat bottom unit 24 of the seat unit 14. Moreover, theseat unit 14 has a backrest unit 58, which comprises two side guidemembers 60. The side guide members 60 of the backrest unit 58 arearranged in a region of the backrest unit 58 remote from the seat bottomunit 24. The side guide members 60 of the backrest unit 58 arefurthermore arranged on each side of the backrest unit 58 in relation tothe transverse direction 20. In the transverse direction 20, thebackrest unit 58 has a multiplicity of different transverse extents 50,52.

Since the seat unit 14 has the backrest unit 58, the seat unit 14 hasthe multiplicity of different transverse extents 50, 52 in thetransverse direction 20. Only two extreme cases of the multiplicity ofdifferent transverse extents 50, 52 will be considered below. A regionof the backrest unit 58 adjacent to the seat bottom unit 24 of the seatunit 14 has the transverse extent 50. The region of the backrest unit 58remote from the seat bottom unit 24 of the seat unit 14 has thetransverse extent 52. Transverse extent 50 is less than transverseextent 52. Starting from the region of the backrest unit 58 remote fromthe seat bottom unit 24 of the seat unit 14, the backrest unit 58 has atapering profile in the direction of the region of the backrest unit 58adjacent to the seat bottom unit 24 of the seat unit 14.

The further bench unit 36 has a bench unit surface 38 which forms thelying surface 26 with the seat bottom unit 24 of the seat unit 14 andwith the bench unit surface 22 of the bench unit 16 in said seatposition. As a result, the passenger sitting on the seating device 12can lie down comfortably on the seating device 12. The lying surface 26has a lying surface longitudinal extent 66 which is oriented inclined tothe seat unit longitudinal direction 18. A passenger lying on the lyingsurface 26 of the seating device 12 (cf. FIG. 2) lies inclined to theseat unit longitudinal direction 18.

The seat unit 14 has the lower leg support unit 44 and the seat bottomunit 24, which are arranged in one plane in one seat position. The lowerleg support unit 44 has a lower leg support unit surface 68 which isarranged in the plane defined by the seat bottom unit 24 in said seatposition. The further bench unit 36 has a bench unit longitudinal extent46 which is the same as a seat unit longitudinal extent 48 of the seatunit 14 in the seat position in which the lower leg support unit 44 andthe seat bottom unit 24 are arranged in said plane. By means of such anembodiment according to the invention, it is advantageously possible toextend the lying surface 26 by means of the lower leg support unitsurface 68. As a result, an even larger lying surface 26 canadvantageously be made available to the passenger lying on the lyingsurface 26. Moreover, the passenger can adjust the lying surface 26according to requirements by virtue of the pivotable support of thelower leg support unit 44 on the seat bottom unit 24.

Moreover, FIG. 1 shows that the further bench unit 36 has a multiplicityof different bench unit transverse extents 90, 92. Only two extremecases of the multiplicity of different bench unit transverse extents 90,92 will be considered below. A bench unit front region 72 when viewed inrelation to a bench unit longitudinal direction 74 oriented parallel tothe bench unit longitudinal extent 46, starting from the bench unitsurface 38, has the bench unit transverse extent 90. A bench unit rearregion 94 when viewed in relation to the bench unit longitudinaldirection 74, starting from the bench unit surface 38, said rear regionbeing adjacent to the bench unit region 56, has the bench unittransverse extent 92. The bench unit transverse extent 92 is smallerthan the bench unit transverse extent 90. Starting from the bench unitfront region 72, the further bench unit 36 has a profile which taperscounter to the bench unit longitudinal direction 74.

Similarly, bench unit 16 has a multiplicity of different bench unittransverse extents 90, 92. Only two extreme cases of the multiplicity ofdifferent bench unit transverse extents 90, 92 will be considered below.A bench unit front region 72 when viewed in relation to a bench unitlongitudinal direction 76 oriented parallel to a bench unit longitudinalextent 40, starting from the bench unit surface 22, has the bench unittransverse extent 90. A bench unit rear region 94 in relation to thebench unit longitudinal direction 76, starting from the bench unitsurface 22, said region being adjacent to the bench unit region 56, hasthe bench unit transverse extent 92. Bench unit transverse extent 92 issmaller than bench unit transverse extent 90. Starting from the benchunit front region 72, bench unit 16 has a profile which tapers counterto the bench unit longitudinal direction 76.

FIG. 1 furthermore shows that the further bench unit 36 has a cavity 70,which is provided for storing useful objects belonging to the passengersitting on the seating device 12. The useful objects can take the formof hand luggage, shoes, clothing, food and/or multimedia objects, suchas laptops and/or headphones, for example. The cavity 70 is accessibleat the bench unit front region 72 of the further bench unit 36 inrelation to the bench unit longitudinal direction 74 oriented parallelto the bench unit longitudinal extent 46, starting from the bench unitsurface 38. More specifically, the cavity 70 has an opening in the benchunit front region 72 of the bench unit 36, through which opening thecavity 70 is accessible. The further bench unit 36 has the bench unitregion 56, which is oriented parallel to a backrest unit 58 of the seatunit 14 in one seat position.

Similarly, the bench unit 16 has the bench unit region 56, which isoriented parallel to a backrest unit 58 of the seat unit 14 in one seatposition. Accordingly, each of the bench units 16, 36 has the bench unitregion 56, which is oriented parallel to the backrest unit 58 of theseat unit 14 in one seat position. The bench unit 16 has the bench unitlongitudinal extent 40, which is the same as a seat unit longitudinalextent 42 of the seat unit 14 in one seat position. In the seat positionin which the bench unit longitudinal extent 40 is the same as the seatunit longitudinal extent 42 of the seat unit 14, the lower leg supportunit 44 is arranged in a position attached pivotally to the seat unit14. Thus, the lower leg support unit surface 68 encloses an angle ofabout 90° with the lying surface 26 in said seat position.

The bench unit 16 has a cavity 28 which is provided in one seat positionfor accommodating the legs of a passenger sitting in a seating device 30arranged behind seating device 12 in relation to the seat unitlongitudinal direction 18 (cf. FIGS. 2 and 3). For the sake of clarity,the cavity 28 is shown only in FIG. 1. In FIG. 1, the cavity 28 is shownin dashed lines since the cavity 28 is arranged within the bench unit16. Starting from the bench unit surface 22 of the bench unit 16, anopening of the cavity 28 is arranged behind the bench unit 16 inrelation to the bench unit longitudinal direction 76 oriented parallelto the bench unit longitudinal extent 40.

The seating device 12 is provided for installation in a passenger cabin34 with a seat unit longitudinal direction 18 oriented inclined to apassenger cabin longitudinal direction 32. In the present illustrativeembodiment, the seating device 12 is installed in the passenger cabin 34with a seat unit longitudinal direction 18 oriented inclined to apassenger cabin longitudinal direction 32.

FIG. 2 shows the passenger cabin 34 according to the invention, morespecifically an aircraft passenger cabin, having a multiplicity ofvehicle seats 10 according to the invention. For the sake of clarity,only one of the vehicle seats 10 is provided with reference signs inFIGS. 2 and 3. For the sake of clarity, there is furthermore no detailedillustration of the vehicle seats 10 according to FIG. 1 in FIGS. 2 and3, and the vehicle seats 10 are shown only schematically, for whichreason a number of features of the vehicle seat 10 shown in FIG. 1 aremissing. FIG. 2 shows that the vehicle seats 10 are arranged in fourpassenger cabin rows 78, 80, 82, 84. The respective passenger cabin rows78, 80, 82, 84 are each oriented parallel to the passenger cabinlongitudinal direction 32. At the same time, two of the passenger cabinrows 78, 84 are each arranged at an edge of the passenger cabin 34 whenviewed in relation to a passenger cabin transverse direction orientedperpendicular to the passenger cabin longitudinal direction 32.Passenger cabin rows 80, 82 are arranged in a center of the passengercabin 34. Passenger cabin rows 80, 82 are each separated from passengercabin rows 78 and 84, respectively, by a passenger cabin aisle 86. Eachpassenger cabin aisle 86 is oriented parallel to the passenger cabinlongitudinal direction 32. The passenger cabin longitudinal direction 32is oriented parallel to a direction of flight.

FIG. 2 shows a passenger cabin seat configuration referred to as 44 PAX.In the passenger cabin seat configuration referred to as 44 PAX, a totalof 44 vehicle seats 10 are arranged in the passenger cabin 34. Thus, atotal of eleven vehicle seats 10 is arranged in each of the fourpassenger cabin rows 78, 80, 82, 84. The respective seating device 12 ofthe respective vehicle seat 10 is installed in the passenger cabin 34with a seat unit longitudinal direction 18 oriented in each caseobliquely to the passenger cabin longitudinal direction 32. Therespective seat unit longitudinal direction 18 of the respective seatunit 14 is in each case oriented inclined to the passenger cabinlongitudinal direction 32. The respective seat unit longitudinaldirection 18 of the respective seat unit 14 in each case encloses asmallest angle of 30° with the passenger cabin longitudinal direction32. A respective lying surface longitudinal direction 88 orientedparallel to the respective lying surface longitudinal extent 66 in eachcase encloses a smallest angle of 30° with the passenger cabinlongitudinal direction 32. A respective spacing between two vehicleseats 10 arranged one behind the other in relation to the passengercabin longitudinal direction 32 is in each case about 97 cm in thepassenger cabin seat configuration referred to as 44 PAX. The respectiveangles and spacings are variable and can be varied according torequirements and circumstances in a particular passenger cabin.Combinations that appear worthwhile to a person skilled in the art areconceivable here.

Further passenger cabin seat configurations are conceivable as analternative to the passenger cabin seat configuration referred to as 44PAX. In each of the passenger cabin seat configurations, theabove-described angles between the respective seat unit longitudinaldirection 18 and the passenger cabin longitudinal direction 32 andbetween the respective lying surface longitudinal direction 88 and thepassenger cabin longitudinal direction 32 are the same as in thepassenger cabin seat configuration referred to as 44 PAX. However, therespective spacings between the respective vehicle seats 10 varyaccording to the passenger cabin seat configuration. In a passengercabin seat configuration referred to as 32 PAX, a respective spacingbetween two vehicle seats 10 arranged one behind the other in relationto the passenger cabin longitudinal direction 32 is in each case about135 cm. In the passenger cabin seat configuration referred to as 32 PAX,a total of 32 vehicle seats 10 is arranged in the passenger cabin 34.Thus, a total of eight vehicle seats 10 is arranged in each of the fourpassenger cabin rows 78, 80, 82, 84.

In a passenger cabin seat configuration referred to as 36 PAX, arespective spacing between two vehicle seats 10 arranged one behind theother in relation to the passenger cabin longitudinal direction 32 is ineach case about 120 cm. In the passenger cabin, seat configurationreferred to as 36 PAX, a total of 36 vehicle seats 10 is arranged in thepassenger cabin 34. Thus, a total of nine vehicle seats 10 is arrangedin each of the four passenger cabin rows 78, 80, 82, 84. In a passengercabin seat configuration referred to as 40 PAX, a respective spacingbetween two vehicle seats 10 arranged one behind the other in relationto the passenger cabin longitudinal direction 32 is in each case about107 cm. In the passenger cabin seat configuration referred to as 40 PAX,a total of 40 vehicle seats 10 is arranged in the passenger cabin 34.Thus, a total of ten vehicle seats 10 is arranged in each of the fourpassenger cabin rows 78, 80, 82, 84.

FIG. 3 shows an enlarged detail of FIG. 2. The enlarged detail of FIG. 2is thus designed as a section of the passenger cabin seat configurationreferred to as 44 PAX. Moreover, FIG. 3 shows a system 62 according tothe invention having the vehicle seat 10 according to the invention andhaving a further seat 64 arranged behind vehicle seat 10 in relation tothe seat unit longitudinal direction 18, more specifically having afurther vehicle seat 10 arranged behind vehicle seat 10 in relation tothe seat unit longitudinal direction 18.

As can be seen clearly particularly in FIG. 3, the two bench unitsurfaces 22, 38 of the two bench units 16, each have five corners whenviewed in a plan view. Moreover, FIG. 3 shows clearly that—as alreadymentioned—each seating device 12 has the partition wall 54, which ineach case has an undulating contour in one cross-sectional plane in eachcase.

It is conceivable for the two bench units 16, 36 and the seat unit 14 tobe mounted so as to be movable. More specifically, it is conceivable fora respective angle between the respective bench unit surface 22, 38 anda floor and an angle between the seat bottom unit 24 and the floor to beof variable configuration. It is likewise conceivable for the respectivebench unit surface 22, 38 and the seat bottom unit 24 to form a Z-shapedprofile in one seat position. More specifically, it is conceivable forthe Z-shaped profile to be set by the passenger sitting on the seatingdevice 12. This Z-shaped profile is referred to as the lazy-Z position.It is furthermore conceivable for the seat position referred to as thelazy-Z position to be set by means of the seat unit 14 of pivotabledesign. More specifically, it is conceivable for the seat positionreferred to as the lazy-Z position to be set by means of a combinedpivoting movement of the seat bottom unit 24, of the lower leg supportunit 44 and of the backrest unit 58. It is conceivable here for theZ-shaped profile to be set by the passenger sitting on the seatingdevice 12.

REFERENCE SIGNS

-   10 vehicle seat-   12 seating device-   14 seat unit-   16 bench unit-   18 seat unit longitudinal direction-   20 transverse direction-   22 bench unit surface-   24 seat bottom unit-   26 lying surface-   28 cavity-   30 seating device-   32 passenger cabin longitudinal direction-   34 passenger cabin-   36 bench unit-   38 bench unit surface-   40 bench unit longitudinal extent-   42 seat unit longitudinal extent-   44 lower leg support unit-   46 bench unit longitudinal extent-   48 seat unit longitudinal extent-   50 transverse extent-   52 transverse extent-   54 partition wall-   56 bench unit region-   58 backrest unit-   60 side guide member-   62 system-   64 seat-   66 lying surface longitudinal extent-   68 lower leg support unit surface-   70 cavity-   72 bench unit front region-   74 bench unit longitudinal direction-   76 bench unit longitudinal direction-   78 passenger cabin row-   80 passenger cabin row-   82 passenger cabin row-   84 passenger cabin row-   86 passenger cabin aisle-   88 lying surface longitudinal direction-   90 bench unit transverse extent-   92 bench unit transverse extent-   94 bench unit rear region

The invention claimed is:
 1. A vehicle seat, in particular an aircraftseat for a passenger, the vehicle seat comprising: at least one seatingdevice the seating device has at least one seat unit and at least onebench unit; the bench unit is arranged at one side of the seat unit in atransverse direction, the transverse direction is oriented at leastsubstantially perpendicular to a seat unit longitudinal direction of theseat unit, the bench unit has a bench unit surface which, together withat least one seat bottom unit of the seat unit in at least one seatposition of the seat unit, forms a lying surface for the passenger, thebench unit has at least one cavity, the at least one cavity of the benchunit is provided in the at least one seat position of the seat unit, theat least one cavity of the bench unit has an opening that faces an otherseating device arranged behind said seating device, the at least onecavity is adapted to accommodate, through the opening, the legs ofanother passenger when seated, in relation to the seat unit longitudinaldirection, in the other seating device arranged behind said seatingdevice.
 2. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the seatingdevice is provided for installation in a passenger cabin with the seatunit longitudinal direction oriented inclined to a passenger cabinlongitudinal direction.
 3. The vehicle seat according to claim 2,wherein the seating device has at least one further bench unit, which isformed separately from said bench unit and is arranged at a side of theseat unit arranged separately from the first side in relation to thetransverse direction.
 4. The vehicle seat according to claim 2, whereinthe bench unit has a bench unit longitudinal extent which is at leastsubstantially the same as a seat unit longitudinal extent of the seatunit in at least one seat position.
 5. The vehicle seat according toclaim 2, wherein the seat unit has at least one lower leg support unitand the at least one seat bottom unit, which are arranged at leastsubstantially in one plane in at least one seat position.
 6. The vehicleseat according to claim 2, wherein the seat unit has at least twodifferent transverse extents in the transverse direction.
 7. The vehicleseat according to claim 2, wherein the seating device has at least onepartition wall, which has an at least substantially undulating contourin at least one cross sectional plane.
 8. The vehicle seat according toclaim 2, wherein the bench unit has at least one bench unit region whichis oriented at least substantially parallel to a backrest unit of theseat unit in at least one seat position.
 9. The vehicle seat accordingto claim 1, wherein the seating device has at least one further benchunit, which is formed separately from said bench unit and is arranged ata side of the seat unit arranged separately from the first side inrelation to the transverse direction.
 10. The vehicle seat according toclaim 9, wherein the further bench unit has a bench unit surface whichforms the lying surface with the seat bottom unit of the seat unit andwith the bench unit surface of the bench unit in at least one seatposition.
 11. The vehicle seat according to claim 9, wherein the seatunit has at least one lower leg support unit and the at least one seatbottom unit, which are arranged at least substantially in one plane inat least one seat position, and the further bench unit has a bench unitlongitudinal extent which is at least substantially the same as a seatunit longitudinal extent of the seat unit in the seat position in whichthe lower leg support unit and the seat bottom unit are arranged atleast substantially in said plane.
 12. The vehicle seat according toclaim 1, wherein the bench unit has a bench unit longitudinal extentwhich is at least substantially the same as a seat unit longitudinalextent of the seat unit in at least one seat position.
 13. The vehicleseat according to claim 1, wherein the seat unit has at least one lowerleg support unit and the at least one seat bottom unit, which arearranged at least substantially in one plane in at least one seatposition.
 14. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the seatunit has at least two different transverse extents in the transversedirection.
 15. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein theseating device has at least one partition wall, which has an at leastsubstantially undulating contour in at least one cross sectional plane.16. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the bench unit has atleast one bench unit region which is oriented at least substantiallyparallel to a backrest unit of the seat unit in at least one seatposition.
 17. The vehicle seat according to claim 1, wherein the seatunit comprises at least one backrest unit, which comprises at least oneside guide member.
 18. A system having at least one vehicle seataccording to claim 1 and having at least one further seat arrangedbehind said vehicle seat in relation to the seat unit longitudinaldirection, in particular having at least one further vehicle seataccording to claim 1 arranged behind said vehicle seat in relation tothe seat unit longitudinal direction.
 19. A passenger cabin, inparticular an aircraft passenger cabin, having at least one vehicle seataccording to claim
 1. 20. The passenger cabin according to claim 19,wherein the seating device is installed in the passenger cabin with aseat unit longitudinal direction oriented inclined to the passengercabin longitudinal direction.